Children's Cancer Community Courageous Kid - Katrina Albertson

Child: Katrina Albertson From: Vacaville Diagnosed with: Leukemia

Our Story -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Katrina has always been a happy child. She started limping and complaining of leg pain during the summer of 2000. Purple bruises on her ankles led us to the emergency room, then the pediatrician, then a bone doctor, then a new pediatrician and finally in October to the hospital. Originally, we took her to the hospital for an infection in her lymph node. Little did we know, we were in for the ride of our lives. On October 5th, 2000 Katrina was diagnosed with ALL ( Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). This was all just foreign language to us. Leukemia, cancer, chemotherapy? Those were things that happened to other people's kids... not ours! When she was diagnosed, Katrina had an older sister who was 4 years old. Mom and Dad spent that first month in the hospital with her. Marissa, her sister stayed with friends and visited on weekends. It was hard on us all. Katrina's mom was then only 2 months pregnant with her brother to be. After 2 weeks Katrina was in remission, but, had to complete 26 months of chemotherapy to keep the cancer away. During this time, we learned more than we ever wanted to know about drugs and side effects. With the loving care of our "team" at John Muir Medical Center we made it through. There were times that it seemed nothing else could go wrong and then it did. Katrina had some side effects that happened to less than 4% of all cancer kids. During this time we welcomed her little brother, helped her sister through kindergarten and first grade, had job transfers and made sure we stayed together as a family. The quote, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" sticks in our minds when we look back now. There are so many things to be thankful for when fighting for the life of your child. Today, Katrina is a well adjusted 2nd grader. She loves to read, cheerleading, camping and playing with her friends (what 8 year old wouldn't?). She has recovered from most of the damaging side effects. Now, she is learning karate too! Watch out world, a very determined girl is on her way up!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We would like to thank SCCF for all its help through our journey. They have given us support, a shoulder to cry on and many wonderful activities that made us feel "normal" again.

Sonoma Children's Cancer Foundation P.O. Box 2246 Sonoma, CA 95476-2246 Toll free: 1-866-402-HOPE(4673) marty@hopeforcancerkids.net

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